Devices and methods for providing card transaction feedback for hearing or visual impaired

ABSTRACT

A card accessory device including, among other things, one or more processors and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, are configured to cause the card accessory device to receive, from a terminal in communication with the card, one or more messages comprising a complete message indicative of successfully reading the card and a read error message indicative that there was an error in reading the card, identify one or more predetermined sequences based on the one or more messages, and perform via a rumble pack, one or more predetermined vibration sequences comprising a first vibration sequence associated with the complete message and a second vibration sequence associated with the read error message in a predetermined pattern.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/110,483, filed Dec. 3, 2020, the entire contents of which are fullyincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

Examples of the present disclosure relate generally to devices andmethods for providing haptic feedback to a user making a transaction,and more specifically to using a payment card accessory device toconvert transaction data associated with a payment card transaction intohaptic feedback for the user.

BACKGROUND

There are approximately 10 million people in the United States that arehard of hearing and nearly 1 million that are functionally deaf.Additionally, approximately 12 million people 40 years and over in theUnited States have vision impairment with 1 million who are blind. It isdifficult for those with any of these impairments to conduct paymentcard transactions because there are limited ways to effectively visuallyconvey feedback as to whether the transaction was successful or failed(e.g., due to an error reading the card, insufficient funds, etc.) to avisually impaired user who is using a payment card (e.g., credit card).Similarly, there are limited ways to effectively convey such messagesaudibly to those hard of hearing or functionally deaf. Thus, a user withany of these impairments might be able to attempt a payment cardtransaction, but would not know when the transaction was complete or ifthere was an error in the attempted transaction (and what that error wasso they could quickly remedy it).

Accordingly, there is a need for devices that assist users with any ofthese impairments to enable them to independently conduct payment cardtransactions more effectively. Embodiments of the present disclosure aredirected to this and other considerations.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are devices and methods for providing haptic feedbackto a user making a transaction.

Consistent with the disclosed embodiments, a card accessory deviceincluding a connector configured to receive at least a first end of acard (e.g., credit card), the first end of the card not containing achip (e.g., Europay, Mastercard, and Visa (EMV)). The card accessorydevice may also include an attachment arm extending from the connector,a housing connected to the attachment arm opposite the connector, arumble pack at least partially contained within the housing, one or moreprocessors, and memory. The memory may store instructions that, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, are configured to cause the cardaccessory device to receive, from a terminal in communication with thecard, one or more messages comprising a complete message indicative ofsuccessfully reading the card and a read error message indicative thatthere was an error in reading the card, identify one or morepredetermined sequences based on the one or more messages, and performvia the rumble pack, one or more predetermined vibration sequencescomprising a first vibration sequence associated with the completemessage and a second vibration sequence associated with the read errormessage in a predetermined pattern.

Consistent with the disclosed embodiments, a card accessory device mayinclude a connector configured to receive at least a first end of acard, the first end of the card not containing a chip, an attachment armextending from the connector, a housing connected to the attachment armopposite the connector, a rumble pack at least partially containedwithin the housing, a capacitor contained within the housing, thecapacitor being configured to accumulate power from an external powersource and provide power to the rumble pack, one or more processors, andmemory. The memory may store instructions that, when executed by the oneor more processors, are configured to cause the card accessory device toreceive, from a terminal in communication with the card, one or moremessages, identify one or more predetermined sequences based on the oneor more messages, direct at least a portion of the power to the rumblepack, and perform, via the rumble pack, one or more predeterminedvibration sequences.

Consistent with the disclosed embodiments, a card accessory deviceincluding a connector configured to receive at least a first end of acard, the first end of the card not containing a chip, an attachment armextending from the connector, a housing connected to the attachment armopposite the connector, a rumble pack at least partially containedwithin the housing, a battery contained within the housing, the batterybeing in electrical communication with and configured to provide powerto the rumble pack, one or more processors, and memory. The memory maystore instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors,are configured to cause the card accessory device to receive, from aterminal in communication with the card, one or more messages, identifyone or more predetermined vibration sequences based on the one or moremessages, and perform, via the rumble pack, the one or morepredetermined vibration sequences.

Further features of the disclosed design, and the advantages offeredthereby, are explained in greater detail hereinafter with reference tospecific examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein likeelements are indicated with like reference designators.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and which illustrate variousimplementations, aspects, and principles of the disclosed technology. Inthe drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of a card accessory device 100 withouta battery, according to some examples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example of a card accessory device 200 with abattery and/or a capacitor, according to some examples of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example of controller 102, according tosome examples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram 400 of a method for providing haptic feedbackfor card transactions, according to some examples of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of the present disclosure can comprise devices and methods forusing a payment card accessory device to convert transaction dataassociated with a payment card transaction into haptic feedback for theuser. As will become apparent, payment card, the card accessory deviceand the method for can take many forms and can be implemented using manymethods and/or devices.

Although certain examples of the disclosed technology are explained indetail, it is to be understood that other examples, embodiments, andimplementations of the disclosed technology are contemplated. Forexample, although referred to in the context of payment cards (e.g.,credit and debit cards) it is contemplated that the disclosed technologycan be used with cards other than payment cards (e.g., governmentidentification cards, transit cards, access cards, gift cards, etc.).Accordingly, it is not intended that the disclosed technology is limitedin its scope to the details of construction and arrangement ofcomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The disclosed technology is capable of other embodiments andof being practiced or carried out in various ways. Such implementationsand applications are contemplated within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

The components described hereinafter as making up various elements ofthe disclosed technology are intended to be illustrative and notrestrictive. Many suitable components that would perform the same orsimilar functions as the components described herein are intended to beembraced within the scope of the disclosed technology. Such othercomponents not described herein can include, but are not limited to, forexample, similar components that are developed after development of thepresently disclosed subject matter.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent likeelements, examples of the present disclosure are herein described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of a card accessory device 100 withouta battery, according to some examples of the present disclosure. Thecard accessory device 100 may be used in conjunction with a payment card110 containing a chip 111 a (e.g., Europay, Mastercard, and Visa (EMV)chip). The card accessory device 100 may have the ability to attach anddetach from the payment card 110 using a connector 108. The connectormay include a spring or similar resiliency mechanism so that the connectcan remain attached to the payment card 110. The connector 108 mayattach to an end of the payment card 110 opposite the end of the chip111 a. In some embodiments, the connector may include an electricalcontact surface on the contact point of the connector which may contactand mate with an electric contact surface 111 b of the payment card 110.Although not shown, the payment card 110 may include a circuit, wire, orother electrical connection between the chip 111 a and the electriccontact surface 111 b.

The card accessory device 100 may also include an attachment arm 106that connects the connector 108 to a housing 120 of the card accessorydevice 100. The attachment arm 106 may also include a wire, circuit orother electrical connection between the connector 108 and the housing120. The housing 120 may include a controller 102 and a rumble pack 104.The rumble pack 104 is controlled by the controller 102 and isconfigured to provide specific haptic feedback based on the instructionsit receives from the controller 102.

Once the connector 108 is attached to the payment card 110 and thepayment card is inserted into a payment terminal 112 (e.g.,point-of-sale device), power and messages flow from the payment terminal112 to the controller 102, which then converts the messages toinstructions for the rumble pack 104. The rumble pack 104, powered bythe payment terminal 112, generates different haptic feedback dependingon the message received. For example, if the controller 102 receives apayment complete message from the payment terminal 112, the controller102 may instruct the rumble pack 104 to initiate a first vibrationsequence (e.g., vibrate once for two seconds). As another example, ifthe controller 102 receives a read error message from the paymentterminal 112, the controller 102 may instruct the rumble pack 104 toinitiate a second vibration sequence (e.g., vibrate twice for half asecond each). As another example, if the controller 102 receives aninsufficient funds (or insufficient assets available) message from thepayment terminal 112, the controller 102 may instruct the rumble pack toinitiate a third vibration sequence (e.g., vibrate three times for onesecond each).

In some embodiments, the card accessory device 100 may include a sensorthat is configured that the connector 108 has received the first end ofthe payment card 110. The sensor may be a pressure sensor and it may bepowered from the payment terminal 112. Once a card is detected by thesensory, the controller 102 may instruct the rumble pack 104 to generatea particular vibration sequence indicating that the card accessorydevice 100 is connected to a card.

In an embodiment, the card accessory device 100 may form a circuit withthe payment card 110 such that the payment terminal 112 can detect whenthe circuit is completed by the card accessory device. In anotherembodiment, the card accessory device 100 may form a circuit with thepayment card 110 such that the card accessory device 100 (or controller102) can detect when the circuit is completed by the card accessorydevice. Once the circuit is formed, the controller 102 may instruct therumble pack 104 to generate an initiate vibration sequence.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example of a card accessory device 200 with abattery and/or a capacitor, according to some examples of the presentdisclosure. Card accessory device 200 is similar to the card accessorydevice 100 shown in FIG. 1 except that card accessory device 200 mayinclude a battery and/or capacitor 114 to power the controller 102 andthe rumble pack 104. For brevity, the features of card accessory device100 that are the same as the features of card accessory device 200 willnot be repeated. Instead, the description of card accessory device 100will be incorporated into the description of card accessory device 200.

In alternative embodiments, the card accessory device may work withcontactless payments cards or devices with power supplied by the card(e.g., credit card with induction coils) or the accessory device (e.g.,card accessory device with induction coils) or power supplied by abattery or capacitor similar to the card accessory device 220 shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram (with additional details) of the examplecontroller 102, as also depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown, thecontroller 102 may include a processor 310, an input/output (“I/O”)device 320, a memory 330 containing an operating system (“OS”) 340 and aprogram 350. In some embodiments, the controller 102 may further includea peripheral interface, a transceiver, a mobile network interface incommunication with the processor 210, a bus configured to facilitatecommunication between the various components of the controller 102, anda power source (e.g., via a payment terminal 112 or battery/capacitor114) configured to power one or more components of the controller 102.

A peripheral interface, for example, may include the hardware, firmwareand/or software that enable(s) communication with various peripheraldevices, such as media drives (e.g., magnetic disk, solid state, oroptical disk drives), other processing devices, or any other inputsource used in connection with the disclosed technology. In someembodiments, a peripheral interface may include a serial port, aparallel port, a general-purpose input and output (GPIO) port, a gameport, a universal serial bus (USB), a micro-USB port, a high definitionmultimedia (HDMI) port, a video port, an audio port, a Bluetooth™ port,a near-field communication (NFC) port, another like communicationinterface, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, a transceiver may be configured to communicate withcompatible devices and ID tags when they are within a predeterminedrange. A transceiver may be compatible with one or more of:radio-frequency identification (RFID), near-field communication (NFC),Bluetooth™, low-energy Bluetooth™ (BLE), WiFi™, ZigBee™, ambientbackscatter communications (ABC) protocols or similar technologies.

A mobile network interface may provide access to a cellular network, theInternet, or another wide-area or local area network. In someembodiments, a mobile network interface may include hardware, firmware,and/or software that allow(s) the processor(s) 310 to communicate withother devices via wired or wireless networks, whether local or widearea, private or public, as known in the art. A power source may beconfigured to provide an appropriate alternating current (AC) or directcurrent (DC) to power components.

The processor 310 may include one or more of a microprocessor,microcontroller, digital signal processor, co-processor or the like orcombinations thereof capable of executing stored instructions andoperating upon stored data. The memory 330 may include, in someimplementations, one or more suitable types of memory (e.g. such asvolatile or non-volatile memory, random access memory (RAM), read onlymemory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks,floppy disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, flash memory, aredundant array of independent disks (RAID), and the like), for storingfiles including an operating system, application programs (including,for example, a web browser application, a widget or gadget engine, andor other applications, as necessary), executable instructions and data.In one embodiment, the processing techniques described herein may beimplemented as a combination of executable instructions and data storedwithin the memory 330.

The processor 310 may be one or more known processing devices, such as,but not limited to, a microprocessor from the Pentium™ familymanufactured by Intel™ or the Turion™ family manufactured by AMD™. Theprocessor 310 may constitute a single core or multiple core processorthat executes parallel processes simultaneously. For example, theprocessor 210 may be a single core processor that is configured withvirtual processing technologies. In certain embodiments, the processor310 may use logical processors to simultaneously execute and controlmultiple processes. The processor 310 may implement virtual machinetechnologies, or other similar known technologies to provide the abilityto execute, control, run, manipulate, store, etc. multiple softwareprocesses, applications, programs, etc. One of ordinary skill in the artwould understand that other types of processor arrangements could beimplemented that provide for the capabilities disclosed herein.

In accordance with certain example implementations of the disclosedtechnology, the controller 102 may include one or more storage devicesconfigured to store information used by the processor 210 (or othercomponents) to perform certain functions related to the disclosedembodiments. In one example, the controller 102 may include the memory330 that includes instructions to enable the processor 310 to executeone or more applications, such as server applications, networkcommunication processes, and any other type of application or softwareknown to be available on computer systems. Alternatively, theinstructions, application programs, etc. may be stored in an externalstorage or available from a memory over a network. The one or morestorage devices may be a volatile or non-volatile, magnetic,semiconductor, tape, optical, removable, non-removable, or other type ofstorage device or tangible computer-readable medium.

In one embodiment, the controller 102 may include a memory 230 thatincludes instructions that, when executed by the processor 310, performone or more processes consistent with the functionalities disclosedherein. Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent withdisclosed embodiments are not limited to separate programs or computersconfigured to perform dedicated tasks. For example, the controller 102may include the memory 330 that may include one or more programs 350 toperform one or more functions of the disclosed embodiments. For example,in some embodiments, the controller 102 may additionally manage dialogueand/or other interactions with the customer via a program 350.

The memory 330 may include one or more memory devices that store dataand instructions used to perform one or more features of the disclosedembodiments. The memory 230 may also include any combination of one ormore databases controlled by memory controller devices (e.g., server(s),etc.) or software, such as document management systems, Microsoft™ SQLdatabases, SharePoint™ databases, Oracle™ databases, Sybase™ databases,or other relational or non-relational databases. The memory 330 mayinclude software components that, when executed by the processor 310,perform one or more processes consistent with the disclosed embodiments.In some embodiments, the memory 330 may include a customer informationdatabase 380 for storing related data to enable the controller 102 toperform one or more of the processes and functionalities associated withthe disclosed embodiments.

The database 360 may include stored data relating to transactions orpresets/preferences associated with vibration sequences for particularmessages.

The discrepancy determination device 120 may also be communicativelyconnected to one or more memory devices (e.g., databases) locally orthrough a network. The remote memory devices may be configured to storeinformation and may be accessed and/or managed by the discrepancydetermination device 120. By way of example, the remote memory devicesmay be document management systems, Microsoft™ SQL database, SharePoint™databases, Oracle™ databases, Sybase™ databases, or other relational ornon-relational databases. Systems and methods consistent with disclosedembodiments, however, are not limited to separate databases or even tothe use of a database.

The controller 102 may also include one or more I/O devices 220 that maycomprise one or more interfaces for receiving signals or input fromdevices and providing signals or output to one or more devices thatallow data to be received and/or transmitted by the controller 102. Forexample, the controller 102 may include interface components, which mayprovide interfaces to one or more input devices, such as one or morekeyboards, mouse devices, touch screens, track pads, trackballs, scrollwheels, digital cameras, microphones, sensors, and the like, that enablethe controller 102 to receive data from one or more users.

In example embodiments of the disclosed technology, the controller 102may include any number of hardware and/or software applications that areexecuted to facilitate any of the operations. The one or more I/Ointerfaces may be utilized to receive or collect data and/or userinstructions from a wide variety of input devices. Received data may beprocessed by one or more computer processors as desired in variousimplementations of the disclosed technology and/or stored in one or morememory devices.

While the controller 102 has been described as one form for implementingthe techniques described herein, other, functionally equivalent,techniques may be employed. For example, some or all of thefunctionality implemented via executable instructions may also beimplemented using firmware and/or hardware devices such as applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic arrays, statemachines, etc. Furthermore, other implementations of the controller 102may include a greater or lesser number of components than thoseillustrated.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram 400 of a method for providing haptic feedbackfor card transactions, according to some examples of the presentdisclosure.

In step 402, the controller 102 may receive one or more messages fromthe payment terminal 112. In step 404, the controller may identify oneor more predetermined vibration sequences based on the one or moremessages and possibly based on preferences stored in database 360. Inoptional step 406, the controller 102 may direct a portion of the storedpower to the rumble pack to initiate it. In step 408, the controller 102send instructions to the rumble pack 104 to perform the one or morepredetermined vibration sequences. In other words, the card accessorydevice 100 or 200 performs the one or more vibration sequences.

EXEMPLARY USE CASE

The following example use case describes an example of particularimplementations of using a card accessory device with a payment card.This example is intended solely for explanatory purposes and should notbe considered as limiting.

Jack, a vision-impaired man, pulls out a credit card and credit cardaccessory device (e.g., card accessory device 100 or 200) to pay for anew jacket. He feels the credit card to determine which end has an EMVchip and which end has metal contacts. Jack takes the connector portionof the credit card accessory device and attaches it to the metalcontacts (the opposite end from the EMV chip) on the credit card. ThenJack places the credit card, with the credit card accessory deviceattached, into a point-of-sale (POS) terminal to pay for the jacket. ThePOS terminal denies payment and issues an insufficient funds message ona display of the POS terminal Jack cannot read. However, Jack left hishand on the credit card accessory device while the POS terminal read andprocessed the credit card and he feels three one second long vibrationswith a short pause between them from the rumble pack found in thehousing of the credit card accessory device. Recognizing thispredetermined vibration sequence, Jack can reposition the credit card toagain attempt the transaction.

On the system side, when the POS terminal denied payment and displayedan insufficient funds message, it simultaneously (or nearsimultaneously) transmitted the insufficient funds message and, if thecard accessory device does not include a power source (e.g., as shown inFIG. 1), power to a controller of the credit card accessory devicethrough the EMV chip of the credit card, the metal contacts of thecredit card, and the connector of the credit card accessory device. Thecontroller, now powered by the POS terminal via the credit card, sendsinstructions to a rumble pack of the credit card accessory device togenerate a vibration sequence associated with the insufficient fundsmessage. The rumble pack, also powered by the POS terminal via thecredit card, generates three one second long vibrations with a shortpause between them.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing haptic feedback for cardtransactions comprising: receiving, from a terminal in communicationwith a card and via one or more processors in communication with thecard, one or more messages; identifying, via the one or more processors,one or more sequences based on the one or more messages; and performing,via a rumble pack in communication with the one or more processors, oneor more vibration sequences.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: accumulating, via a capacitor, power from an external powersource responsive to receiving the one or more messages; and providingat least a portion of the power to the rumble pack to perform the one ormore vibration sequences.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:contacting, via an electrical contact surface of a connector, a matingelectrical contact surface of the card; wherein the external powersource is associated with the terminal and supplies power through a chipof the card and on to the electrical contact surface of the connector.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more sequences comprise oneor more predetermined sequences, and wherein the one or more vibrationsequences comprise one or more predetermined vibration sequences.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein: the one or more messages comprise a completemessage indicative of successfully reading the card, and the one or morevibration sequences comprise a first vibration sequence associated withthe complete message.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein: the one or moremessages comprise a read error message indicative of an error in readingthe card, and the one or more vibration sequences comprise a secondvibration sequence associated with the read error message.
 7. The methodof claim 1, wherein: the one or more messages comprise an insufficientassets available message indicative of insufficient assets available,and the one or more vibration sequences comprise a third vibrationsequence associated with the insufficient assets available message.
 8. Acard accessory device comprising: one or more processors incommunication with a card; and memory storing instructions that, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, are configured to cause the cardaccessory device to: receive, from a terminal in communication with thecard, one or more messages; identify one or more sequences based on theone or more messages; and perform, via a rumble pack in communicationwith the one or more processors, one or more vibration sequences.
 9. Thecard accessory device of claim 8, wherein the one or more messagescomprise a complete message indicative of successfully reading the cardand a read error message indicative that there was an error in readingthe card.
 10. The card accessory device of claim 9, wherein the one ormore vibration sequences comprise a first vibration sequence associatedwith the complete message and a second vibration sequence associatedwith the read error message.
 11. The card accessory device of claim 8,further comprising a battery in electrical communication with andconfigured to provide power to the rumble pack.
 12. The card accessorydevice of claim 8, wherein the card accessory device forms a circuitwith the card and the terminal such that the terminal can detect whenthe circuit is completed by the card accessory device.
 13. The cardaccessory device of claim 8, further comprising: a connector configuredto receive a first end of the card; an attachment arm extending from theconnector; and a housing connected to the attachment arm opposite theconnector; wherein the rumble pack is at least partially containedwithin the housing.
 14. The card accessory device of claim 13, furthercomprising a sensor, wherein the instructions, when executed by the oneor more processors, are further configured to cause the card accessorydevice to: detect, via the sensor, that the connector of the cardaccessory device has received the first end of the card; and provide anindication of the detection to the card.
 15. The card accessory deviceof claim 14, wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor.
 16. The cardaccessory device of claim 13, further comprising a capacitor configuredto accumulate power from an external power source and provide power tothe rumble pack.
 17. The card accessory device of claim 16, wherein theinstructions, when executed by the one or more processors, are furtherconfigured to cause the card accessory device to: accumulate, via thecapacitor, power from the external power source responsive to receivingthe one or more messages; and provide at least a portion of the power tothe rumble pack to perform the one or more vibration sequences.
 18. Thecard accessory device of claim 16, wherein the external power source isassociated with the terminal and supplies power through a chip of thecard and on to an electrical contact surface of the connector.
 19. Amethod for providing haptic feedback for card transactions comprising:receiving, from a terminal in communication with a card and via one ormore processors in communication with the card, one or more messages;identifying, via the one or more processors, one or more sequences basedon the one or more messages; directing at least a portion of storedpower to a rumble pack; and performing, via the rumble pack incommunication with the one or more processors, one or more vibrationsequences.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: contacting,via an electrical contact surface of a connector, a mating electricalcontact surface of the card; accumulating, via a capacitor, power froman external power source responsive to receiving the one or moremessages; and providing at least a portion of the power to the rumblepack to perform the one or more vibration sequences; wherein theexternal power source is associated with the terminal and supplies powerthrough a chip of the card and on to the electrical contact surface ofthe connector.